Ready to set up your “Blog Kit” ?
First, What is it.
It’s a “tool box” consisting of products you’ve used and trust over time, to reuse. And keeps you from seeking programs you don’t need. A Blog Kit you depend on regularly and saves you money!
If you have a website , you want to promote what you offer and make money online, right? You’ll need programs to do this with.
However, the very first concept to understand in developing your Blog Kit is this – the objective:
Your website is for the visitor – not you.
Which means, you have to think like them – your visitors. In fact, think of yourself perusing the internet. What as a visitor to another websites/blogs are you looking for, attracts you. What holds your attention or not? What do you like about a particular website or blog?
There are to many websites on the internet that visually look like a “Garage Sale”. They are full of Ads, promotions cluttering up posts and pages. Sure, one type of website can get away with this – like a “Magazine”, But for the average blogger, new or even seasoned most websites (my opinion) are a visual mess and confusing.
My earlier websites used to be like what I mentioned above. But through observation, educating myself about website design (what the “big Guys” are doing) I’ve been able to implement some ideas by using the tools I already have and honoring what users want and thinking like a visitor to my own site.
What Users/Visitors Want:
- Easy navigation
- Easy shopping steps
- No distractions
- Helpful/useful content
- visitor interaction
- Clarity of message (Visitors have a short attention span)
- Easy to read
- They don’t care about credentials or logos, they just want the content, what they need.
Website Design Trends
- Bold colors
- Simplicity
- Split screens, horizontal or vertical on homepages
- User interactions
- Line icons
- Short sentence copy
- Small logos
- Image branding
- Content speaks louder than logos
- UX – emphasis on User Experience
Your Blog Kit should first include a plan, an idea to follow – like an architect designing a home. Choose a blog theme that best portrays what you want to communicate to your visitors.
Now for the “Tools”:
I’ve used many programs, spent lots of money over the years, and finally whittled it all down to just what I need and like the best, based on what I want to achieve on my blog: Clarity, easy to read, visually appealing, and clutter free. You don’t need everything. And sometimes products are repetitive – meaning they do the same things, so you only need one.
What Do You Want to Achieve on Your Website?
- Promote products (Funnels)
- Build a list (Funnels, Lead Magnets)
- Sell products and programs (Funnels)
- Make money (Merchant account)
- Help others (useful content)
- Connect with others (Auto-responder, social media)
- Create and teach a course
- Visual presentations (Video creation program and editor)
- Rbook creator
What you want to achieve with your website will change as your interests change – blogs are always a work in progress. But when you have the tools you trust to use, it will be easier to adapt to your changes.
There’s a SEA of products that do similar things and this is where you’ll want to explore and pick the best. BUT be prepared to spend money testing them. Or you cam trust my list and input from others you trust about what programs to use.
What I use is listed below. If you have questions, just reach-out to me, and I’ll answer.
First, think about what you need instead of what you want (lots of shinny objects out there). You’ll need programs to help build your presence and business online based on what you want to achieve.
1. Blogging Platform and Hosting
If you’re just starting out with blogging – never had a blog before, I recommend signing- up for a free blog account at wordpress.com. You’ll learn how to use the platform, build your knowledge and skills at having a blog. This is a great platform to “play” with and not be challenged financially however, you may be limited as to what you can promote on your blog.
Then, if you’re really serious about blogging, own your blog. Because you own it, you can post anything you want on it – which you can’t do on free blogging platforms.
If owning, you’ll need to invest in a hosting company for your blog. There are many hosting companies out there… be careful, some will “nickle and dime ” you for additional services that they say you need but really don’t.
I’ve been using Dreamhost since 2005. They are straightforward, good support and service. They never crashed at any time and they’ve always responded to any problems I’ve had. You pay them annually and fee will depend on the service you get. I have a private server so it costs more.
2. Blog Theme
I only use themes from My Theme Shop. There’s an annual fee for membership which gives you the option to use ANY theme or plugin for no charge. They have everything you need – an excellent SEO plugin, shotcodes, and many more. The support is also very good. When you use one theme and the plugins made by the same company everything works well, seamlessly together. And, that’s a good thing!
3. Email/Auto-Responder Program
I have tried a few email programs … and stuck with Get Response. I LOVE Get Response! They are always updating there services and offer educational marketing videos, webinars, and articles on their blog. They have landing pages, a webinar platform, surveys, RSS feed, and creative web forms. The monthly service depends on the size of your email list. The fee increases as your email list grows by size. They now have a funnel program. This is what I love about them – they’re innovative and generous for what you pay monthly.
4. Funnel Programs
There are many funnel creation programs available. Some are costly like Clickfunnels. If you like uncomplicated, easy to use then I recommend Instabuilder.
Instabuilder is a plugin and offers an affiliate program.. It’s easy to use. Pages are already designed and you can change the color, text, images, layout, add video, etc. They add new layout themes every month.I use this often. It’s affordable and support is good.
Get Response now has a Funnel program which includes pre-made email and funnel templates for each phase including up-sells. This program is worth a peek. Get Response also has Lead Magnet templates as well.
5. Video Creation and Storage
Camtasia – for video creation and editing
Screencast – Video storage
Canva – has an excellent library of premade videos. And, you can store your designs on Canva as well
6. Graphics
Canva – (My favorite especially the “Canva at Work” program)
Sqribble – EBook Creator. I use this program to create my ebooks and the monthly magazine “The Artistic Way to Marketing”
7. Webinar Solutions
Again, for me it’s Get Response. They offer an affordable package that includes webinars, funnels, autoresponder, RSS newsletter feed, landing pages, and more.
Keep checking back as I’ll be adding or removing product suggestions.
Recommended Ebook and Video Creation Programs
